Influence of Phosphorus and Sulphur Levels on Economics and Yield of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under the Eastern Zone of UP, India

Abstract

The present study highlights the influence of Phosphorus and Sulphur Levels on Economics and Yield of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.): A Field Experiment yield of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L)". var. "ISF-764" was tested at Crop Research Farm during Rabi 2021–23. Ministry of Agriculture Sciences and technology United University, Prayagraj in the U.P. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) India ranks second in terms of planted area after food crops and is the world's fourth-largest producer of oilseeds in terms of output. The soil of the experimental plot had a sandy loam texture, was almost pH-neutral (7.5), had low organic carbon content (0.50%), and was readily available. N (228.59 kg/ha), available P (29.80 kg/ha) and available K (125.21 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments consists three level of S 20,30,40 kg/ha and three level of P 30,40,50 kg/ha with control (Farmer practice) were replicated thrice. Results obtained that higher plant height (173.33 cm), Number of branches (19.27), dry weight (117.89 g/day), yield attributes and yield viz., seed yield (2.20 t/ha), stover yield (2.98 t/ha) and Hi (42.44 %) were recorded with the application of 40 kg/ha S + 50 kg/ha P, economics viz. however, higher gross return (113804.07 INR/ha), net return (77799.97 INR/ha) and B:C ratio (2.16) was observed when 40 kg/ha S and 50 kg/ha P were applied. Application of 40 kg/ha S with 50 kg/ha P was therefore more productive and financially viable. It is concluded that treatment T9 with application of S 40 kg/ha + P 50 kg/ha was found to be the best that recorded highest plant height, number of capitulam / plant , dry weight (g), panicle length, number of panicles, number of grains per panicle, seed yield, straw yield, test weight and harvest index.